www.springmilldelaware.org Volume XVII Issue 6
A NEWSLETTER FOR THE SPRINGMILL COMMUNITY
June 2019
Happy Birthday To You!! June 14th is special to me for a couple of reasons. First, my son, Jonathan, was born on this date…sort of one of those days you don’t forget.
How Father’s Day Came to Be Father’s Day is the day that sons and daughters recognize the influence Fathers have had on their lives. It is unique in that it is a day that was established as a holiday rather recently. As a matter of fact, it became a National Holiday, after being celebrated informally for many years, well within most of our lifetimes. Many of the holidays that we celebrate are based on either religious or historical events like Christmas, Easter, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. This is not true for Father’s Day. Over the years a number of people across the nation had similar ideas about paying tribute to their Fathers. But Sonora Smart Dodd is widely credited as being the person whose efforts, in the early 20th century, led to Father’s Day becoming a U.S. national holiday. Mrs. Dodd’s story began as she sat listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909. She thought that it might be nice to honor fathers as well. Her father, William Smart, had raised his six children alone on his farm in Washington state after his wife died giving birth to their sixth child.
The other reason is because our country celebrates Flag Day… putting flags out on our lawns or proudly flying them on a staff. Some of you are very good about celebrating our country every day; many of us aren’t that conscientious. Well, this year as my son celebrates his 48th birthday, the Stars and Stripes marks its 242nd birthday! It is actually more of an anniversary of the adoption of our nation’s flag design by the 1777 Continental Congress. (I checked my math; 2019 minus 1777 equals 242.) A Wisconsin schoolteacher is credited for originating Flag Day in 1885. His district-wide effort soon spread to other schools across the country. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation that gave Flag Day official recognition, but President Harry Truman took it a step further. In 1949, he signed an act of Congress designating June 14 as National Flag Day. So, whether you consider this a birthday or an anniversary celebration, do remember to raise a flag to this symbol of liberty on its special day. And…at the end of the day, be sure to do more than salute the American flag, be sure to fold it with respect. (Cont’d page 15)
Mrs. Dodd proposed to the Spokane Ministerial Association and the YMCA that they celebrate a “Father’s Day.” She chose the 5th of June because it was her father’s birthday. The idea received strong support, but (cont’d on page 15)
Summer is Finally Here
Bocce Begins
Horseshoes Happen
Pickleball Prevails
Water Aerobics Waits
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Doll Sewing Group – Carol Geiger Carolyn Rifino Family Emergency Numbers: Sunshine – Mary Elizabeth Rhoads Pat Howe, JoAnn Stump Faith Altman Library - Julia Hambrecht, Nancy Shannon
2 Windmill Lane, Middletown, DE 19709 302-376-5466 Board of Directors Don Thompson - President Carolyn Bodden - Vice President Bob Collins - Secretary Carolyn Fausnaugh - Treasurer Jerry Steskal - Director Board Recording Secretary Tracey Lund - Community Manager: Tracey.lund@associa.us
Springmill Activities Bocce – Don Thompson Ann Lucas Book Clubs 1 – Debra Kupper 2 – Mary Elizabeth Rhoads 3 – Lydia Olson 4 – Mary Jo Starrett 5 – Joan Gross Bridge Thursday 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th Joan Gross Thursday 1st – mixed Marie Rigg Friday a.m. – Beginners & refreshers Marie Rigg Bunco 1 – Deb Kupper Bunco 2 – June Stemmle Coffee Hour (Saturday) – Pat Frail Cribbage – John Oppelt Dance Party – Bonnie Silva Dinner Group First Thursday Danese Collins Dominos – Jo Verni Golf – Joe Tomasetti (Men’s) Eileen Bogel (Women’s) Hand and Foot – Jo Verni Hand/Knee/Foot Mon. p.m./Tues. p.m. – Carolyn Bodden Horse Shoes – Rob Bishop Ladies Cards – Carolyn Rifino Mah jongg – Pat Wiedemann Meditation – Cynthia Frank Men’s Cards ”31” – Len Brussee
Committees Charity Committee: Pat Kolbay Clubhouse Committee: Joe Grippo Communications Committee: Tom Rigg Community Events (CEC): Peggy Andrews Finance Committee: Open Maintenance & Repair Committee: Georgieanna Anderson Property Committee: Julia Hambrecht Springmill Website: Stan Heer Welcome Committee Person: Joann Campbell Groups Fun With Neighbors: Riggs and Weinheimers Travel: Betty Freeman, Anne Lucas, June Stemmle Anyone wishing to join a Committee or Group should contact the Chairperson of that Committee. Note: All committees, groups and activities using the Clubhouse must coordinate dates and times with Tracey Lund. Calendar: Tracey Lund
Chairman of Communications Committee Tom Rigg Sentinel Editor - Joan Gross, Tom Rigg Treasurer - Sharonlynn Tassone Secretary - Sonya Comstock Design and Production - Joan Gross and Marie Rigg Business Manager - Dick Rausch Advertising - Carol Geiger, Cynthia Frank, Janet Herner, Jerry Ryan,Pat Steskal Editorial - Sonya Comstock, Carol Geiger, Dick Rausch, Lee Rosenson, Jerry Ryan, June Stemmle, Harry Weinheimer, Helen Weinheimer Calendar - Joe Grippo, Julie Hambrecht, Tracey Lund Distribution - Diane Morton and the distribution team
Men’s Hearts – Len Brussee Men’s Poker – Tom Ferrara Men's Pool – Larry Daigle Music Appreciation Club – Roy Peters Pickleball - Jane Kimmins Ladies Lunch/Red Hats Classie Lassies – Dolores Bille Crimson Belles – Mary Elizabeth Rhoads Happy Hatters – Kathy Kobus Old Bats in the Red Hats Peg McMullen Scarlett O’Hattas – Phyllis Torgersen Night n’Gals – Ann Raymond Red H’attitudes – Peggy Andrews Lunch Bunch Jean Sweeney Romeos – Art Lamb Rummikub – Tues. – Carolyn Rifino Thurs. – Jo Verni Fri. – Tiny Farquhar Senior Exercise – Geri Abel Social Singles – Bridget McGrath/ Kathy Cioffi Tennis – (Men’s/Women’s) Jerry Ryan Texas Holdem – Stan Heer Water Aerobics – Ann Raymond/ Sandy Corrozzi Yoga – June Stemmle
If you wish to join a committee, service group or an activity,contact the leader (Contact info is in the Directory) 2
Notes From Your Board • In the case of the town’s instructions on trash and yard waste pickups---• Do not put grass clippings on the street. Only grass clippings can be placed in the yard waste cans. Other yard waste such as branches and twigs are to be left curbside (NOT Bound).
Thank goodness spring has arrived! Although we have had some rainy, cool weather, it is great to be able to get out and take a walk and visit with neighbors we haven’t seen in a while. With warm weather and sunshine comes yard work and landscaping maintenance.
• Days for pickups-– See box below
This year we have all been watching how our new landscaping company Page Precision Cuts has been handling the grass cutting, trimming, edging and other tasks associated with keeping our community looking great. Zack and his crew have worked diligently to become familiar with Springmill in order to develop the best system for getting the work done in a timely manner. The BOD met with Zack recently to discuss various comments and/or concerns from the residents and to answer any concerns or issues he had. The meeting was very productive as he expressed a sincere desire to meet the needs and wishes of the residents of Springmill.
• Please remember to store all trash cans in garage • The mayor also agreed to look into what can be done to lessen the 301 Highway noise issues, to check the stream behind Springmill for any beaver dams that may cause flooding issues and to keep us up to date on the storage facility proposed next to Springmill. Once again, the BOD expresses a sincere “Thank You” to all of the volunteers who have worked many hours this fall and spring to help Springmill continue to be a great place to live. Enjoy the summer!! Robert Collins
Waste Pick Up
Some items discussed included --• Grass cutting issues with clippings not blown off front and back porches
Mondays Grass clippings only (in cans with yellow lids) Wednesdays Regular garbage in cans Thursdays Recycle in cans Fridays Branches & yard waste (at curbside) (NOT Bound)
• Trimmer damages to siding of houses • Mowing/trimming of lawns taking 2 days to complete Zack stated he will spray for weeds in river rock beds /around perimeter of the house for $20. He also stated that garden flowering trees should only be trimmed or cut back in the late fall or early spring season. If cut now, they will not flower.
Sentinel Table of Contents Father’s Day, Flag Day, Summer.…..…..……..…… Homeowners Assoc. Service Groups, Activities, Sentinel Staff………………..……………….…… Notes From Your Board..……………………..…..…. Board Motions, Pet Notice…..…….………………... Committee, Group and Activity Reports Clubhouse……………….………………………... Charity, Dance Group, Community Events, Music Appreciation…. Website, Communications, Coffee First Thursday Dinner, ROMEOS, Fun With Neighbors……………………….….… Property, MRC, Springmill Singles…..….…… Eric Kearns, Restaurant Reviews……………….…. Recipe………………………………………….……….. Kentucky Derby, Springmill Singles…………….… Yard Sale, Eric Kearns, Memorial Day………. Day Tripping……………………………………..……. Springmill Library……………………………….……. Middletown News, New Business, A Musical Treat, Yard Sale……………..…….. Springmill Contributes, Welcome…..…………..… Book Review, Book Clubs, Thank You, Condolences………………………..…..………. Springmill Author……………….……………………. Sports Roundup…………….………………………….
Please contact Tracey with any questions or concerns. We will continue to monitor the landscaping progress and keep you informed. The BOD also had a productive meeting with Mayor Ken Branner and City Manager Morris Deputy on April 29. The meeting was arranged in order to help the BOD get a better understanding of the relationship between the city of Middletown and Springmill on certain issues. The Mayor and City Manager were very responsive to our request to meet and proved to be extremely helpful. Space does not allow me to list everything discussed. However, here are a few. • First, we were able to get a better understanding of some issues regarding the Springmill ponds. The property lines of the ponds stop at the crest of the hill. The pond and the walls that go down to the pond are the town’s responsibility. Shrubs could be placed at the top of the pond area to discourage geese from entering the water. The town mows twice a year around the ponds. • In the case of any oil spills or other spills on the town streets, please let Tracey know and she will contact the town and request they come out and do a street cleanup for us. The sooner they know about the spill, the more likely they can clean it effectively.
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 5 Page 5 Page 7
Page 9 Page 11 Page 13 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 19 Page 21 Page 23 Page 25 Page 27 Page 29 Page 31
Calendar Table of Contents Cultural Events, Appo Library……………………….
3
Page 1
4
Board Motions April 8, 2019 Work Session Revisions of the Committee Organization, Policies and Procedures: 3rd draft revisions discussed. D Thompson made a motion to approve the 3rd revised draft of the Springmill Association Committee Organization, Policy and Procedures, as amended. Motion 2nd: J Steskal. Motion approved (5-0). April 29, 2019 Work Session C Bodden made a motion to adjust the policy in height for landscaper responsibility from 4 inches to 6 inches in height above the grade. Motion 2nd: D Thompson. Motion approved (5-0) D Thompson to revise and update the wording in the policy for the BOD to review. The BOD addressed a written letter from a home owner on concerns with a common area tree at the side of their home and the tree roots that are creating an issue for them. C Bodden made a motion to have this tree cut down to ground level and the debris removed. Motion 2nd: C Fausnaugh. Motion approved (5-0) Trash cans being stored outside of the garage. BOD had a discussion. C Bodden made a motion that all waste receptacles are to be stored inside the garages. 2nd: J Steskal. Motion approved (5-0) C Fausnaugh made a motion to adopt a policy that if a resident has a late fee implemented after the 10th of the month, the only way the BOD will waive this late fee is if the home owner signs up for Associa’s direct debit payment for association dues. Motion 2nd: D Thompson. Motion approved (5-0). MRC Request: The BOD reviewed that recommendation by the MRC to approve a request for a gas fire place placed in the bump-out on the side of a home interior. BOD reviewed the paperwork. D Thompson made a motion to agree with the MRCs request to approve MRC Request #04-2019, as submitted. Motion 2nd: J Steskal. Motion approved (5-0).
Your dog may be cute but his poop is NOT. Be a good neighbor and clean up after your pet.
5
Committee, Group and Activity Reports Clubhouse Committee The Clubhouse Committee met on Thursday, May 9th. During the meeting, we discussed three major items. First, the uncovering and opening of the Pool. The pool was uncovered the week of May 13th. Residents started using the pool Memorial Day. The Pool guidelines are on the bulletin board, listed on two signs in the pool area, on the website and included in June's Sentinel. Please take a minute to review them. Finally, in regard to the pool, there is a signup sheet on the bulletin board for “Morning Cleanup”. The cleanup is very easy and two people should be able to clean the tables, reset the chairs, and blow leaves away from the pool in about 15 minutes. All help is welcome Happy Swimming!!! Secondly,we discussed the new front door opener. Please note, the FOB button has been moved to prevent someone with a wheel chair or walker being hit by the door opening. Please note, the FOB button still works for everyone. Leaving the clubhouse, there is a green button by the coat room. Press it and two doors will open. You may also gently push the left door and again both doors will open. Finally, we upgraded the TV in the Exercise Room. This was done for better watching of the TV while exercising. The TV that was in the Exercise Room was placed in the Pool Room, replacing the very old style TV. Our next meeting will be on June 13th. All are welcome. Joe Grippo
6
Committee, Group and Activity Reports (cont.) Community Events
Charity Committee
Eric Kerns had to be one of the best entertainers we have ever had at Springmill. His show was fabulous, one famous singer after another and all of these unique voices coming out of the mouth of one man. He has an amazing talent. Thanks to Michele Wiener for bringing Eric to us. Unfortunately, due to bad weather, Michele was stuck at the airport and did not make the show. Sorry, Michele, but as they always say “THE SHOW MUST GO ON’
70 Springmill homes contributed to our May pickup for Neighborhood House! They are very grateful for your generosity! Our volunteers did a great job collecting and delivering! On Monday, June 3, 2019, our volunteers will be collecting again for Neighborhood House. In addition to a variety of grocery items, their special needs this month are: toilet paper, pancake mix, pancake syrup, beverages of all kinds including: instant iced tea, lemonade, juice boxes, juice, water, etc.
The Kentucky Derby was run on a rainy day, on a muddy track with a lot of horse bumping and controversy. But the delay gave us more time to enjoy our Mint Juleps, delicious dinner, Derby Hat Parade and our SPRINGMILL PONY RACES. (with no bumping). Thanks to Ruth Rudloff and the CEC committee.
“Springmill Contributes” is an Informative set of articles appearing in the Sentinel with a brief, inside look at the organizations Springmill donates to through the Charity Committee. This month is Middletown’s own, Warriors Helping Warriors . See page 25
Our Annual Memorial Day Get-Together appears to be another great celebration.
On April 27th, Maria Corvino and I attended the Grand Opening of The Brian Conley Veterans Resiliency Center on W. Broad St. Middletown. It was an inspiring experience to see what a determined veteran with a grand idea (Warriors Helping Warriors) can accomplish! Brian Conley developed a dedicated volunteer workforce and with a charitable community, they remodeled a Victorian house into a fantastic home and counseling center for veterans. Much luck to them as they move forward! Pat Kolbay
“THE SENSATIONS” back by popular demand, will be performing Saturday June 15, at 7: 00 p.m. Come join us for an evening of the music that we all enjoyed from the 50’s, 60’s & 80’s. for your listening and dancing pleasure. BYOB & snacks $13.00 /person. Still time to get your RSVP to Charlotte Smith. “FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION” Thursday, July 4, @ 5:30 p.m. To serve 70-80 people hamburgers all at the same time has not been too successful. So, this year we are trying something different. We will be serving sloppy-joes, along with beef hot dogs (with all the fixings) redskin potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans, pasta salad, appetizers and dessert. Entertainment by the Elderodos Band. A GREAT WAY TO CELEBRATE the 4th of JULY. Flyer in Sentinel.
Dance Group The Dance Group has been planning our second Veranda Barbecue Dance for Saturday, June 8 at 7PM. We’re hoping for great weather for dancing by the pool. Music will be provided by Dick Belber with his portable speakers so that we can have our music outside. Tom Smith and Bill Bogel will man the grills to cook the burgers and dogs. We are anticipating a great turnout. We look forward to a fun evening with great food and lively music.
“CARD & GAME PARTY” Wednesday July 17, 2019 “BINGO” Friday August 2, 2019
Thanks to Jerry Steskal for stepping in as our Board Liaison.
Our next scheduled event will be the Halloween Dance on Saturday, October 26 at 7PM. It will be a costume-optional evening with lots of games, prizes, and, of course, dancing
The CEC meets the first Wednesday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in the craft room. Our next meeting will be June 5,2019. We welcome you to come join us, give us your input; sharing ideas and suggestions is always appreciated. What is not appreciated is the nasty, unpleasant and unsigned letter that I received, then filed in the shredder.
Eileen Bogel
Peggy Andrews
Music Appreciation The June Music Appreciation will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 11 in the Clubhouse Great Room. It will feature a video of the great Richard Rodgers. Rodgers wrote his first Broadway musical in 1920 at age 18. He wrote song after song, with lyrics by Lorenz Hart. Most of these songs took the form of Broadway musicals. Rodgers and Hart worked together through the 1930's and into the 1940's. Hart was a bright and capable lyricist, but he was an unreliable drunk. Hart held Rodgers back. Finally, in 1941, Richard Rodgers hooked up with the great Oscar Hammerstein. Hammerstein would write the lyrics, to which Rodgers would compose the melodies. This backward arrangement resulted in a revolution in Broadway Musicals. Instead of acting out a story and stopping to sing a song, Hammerstein's lyrics actually advanced the story. The result was a seamless book containing beautiful songs. Their first smash hit was Oklahoma in 1943. They followed with the incredible Carousel in 1945, and then “South Pacific”. These three became the gold standard for Broadway musicals. Altogether, Richard Rodgers wrote more than 900 songs and 43 Broadway musicals. Roy Peters
7
8
Committee, Group and Activity Reports (cont.) Website
www.springmilldelaware.org
Communications Committee
In last month's article, I mentioned that I was researching a new tool, Google Analytics. It turns out this is a more useful tool for marketing websites, but there is still useful information for us. For one thing, about 40% of the visitors to our website come via a Search Engine. I expect that some of those were from Springmill residents (maybe they didn't know our URL (Web address): springmilldelaware.org), but that still means that there is a significant number of non-residents reaching our web site. That is why going forward, we will be trying to develop more information pages for non-residents. As to the Residents who use the site, the most frequently visited pages are “What's New”, followed by the “Board of Directors” page (with all the BOD meeting minutes), and the “Committees” page.
The Communications Committee held its monthly meeting, Monday, May 13, 2019 in the Clubhouse. Our Board liaison was Don Thompson. Sharonlynn Tassone gave the Treasurer’s Report for April 2019.
Dick Rausch, Business Manager, reported that we currently have 42 advertisers in the Sentinel. There are renewals needed. We have some new advertisers. We welcomed Cynthia Frank as a new sales rep. Marie Rigg, in Joan Gross’ absence, reviewed the Editorial plan for the June Sentinel. Some of the future seminars we are considering are a follow up on the Dove’s Nest Pollinator Site, fall prevention, recycling, a visit from our Middletown Police Chief. At this point we tentatively have the Lenape Nation scheduled to come in November and All Therapy to discuss senior exercise in September. Further information will follow.
Regarding the “Committees” page, at the suggestion of the BOD, each Committee reference will also include a link to their latest committee meeting minutes. Be assured, this will not replace the copies of all Committee minutes that will continue to be kept in the Library. We will be relying on the Committee chairpersons and secretaries to help us keep these up to date.
We discussed the new, expanded and improved Springmill Annual Directory and Handbook for 2020. It will include not only the Directory but also a handbook of the various committees, groups, sports and activities in Springmill. It should serve as a handy reference for all residents, particularly our new residents. This will be available at the end of the year.
Something else new you will find exclusively on the website by the time you read this, will be a complete report of the results of the recent Survey that was sponsored by the BOD, including the”extra question” that was only on the Web-based survey, since the paper version had already been printed. Two questions allowed respondents to include comments and most of those comments will also be included.
Our next meeting is Monday, June 10 (second Monday of the month) at 10 a.m. in the Clubhouse. Come and join us if you would like to participate in the activities of the Communications Committee. We could use some help in editing, writing and distribution. Tom Rigg
Our June meeting is on June 11 at 10 AM in the Great Room. Visitors are welcome, Stan Heer
Fun With Neighbors
First Thursday Dinner Group
June 1 We will have the premier performance as game show hosts of Judy Graff and Renee Frank. Come join us as we laugh our way through What’s My Line – Springmill Style. No need to feel like you can answer the questions – just come and have fun with the rest of us. As always, we play in teams so we share brain cells.
We are moving right along! Here it is – time for another First Thursday Dinner. Our hosts this month are Lynn and Don Thompson They have selected Fish Whistle at The Granary. (Yes, it has opened again under new management.) The time is as usual --- 4:30 PM, on the first Thursday of June, and that date is June 6, 2019. We have been assigned the Sassafras Room.
May’s pizza night brought 10 people to share pizza and conversation. June’s pizza night will be Friday June 21. If you do water aerobics and wish to stay at the clubhouse for pizza, just bring a change of clothes, beverage and pizza money. I will check around the pool before we order pizza Hope to see you then.
As always, please invite any resident who is not already attending, and please RSVP to the Thompsons via email or their phone listing in our directory Here is hoping we all have a wonderful evening. Also, do not let the lack of a ride keep you from attending, if you need a ride, let me know and we will connect you up with one because we really don’t want you to miss out on chatting and eating on the beautiful Sassafras River. Peace, Danese Collins
We welcome everyone at these events (singles, couples, new residents, all residents!) The only cost is your smile and your willingness to get to know your neighbors! The Riggs and The Weinheimers
Saturday Coffee
ROMEOS
The Saturday Coffee Hours will take place June 8 and 22 from 10 AM to 12 noon at the clubhouse. Bring your own coffee and snack for yourself and enjoy socializing with neighbors. See you there! Pat Frail
We meet at a different restaurant for lunch on the third Thursday of every month. This is a group of men who get together to share food and conversation. All are welcome to attend. Contact Art Lamb to be put on the e-mail list.
9
10
Committee, Group and Activity Reports (cont.) Property The Property Committee met Monday, May 13, 2019. Carolyn Bodden is our BOD liaison. The April minutes were approved and are in the Property notebook in the library and also on the website. Again, we ask that residents do not speak to the contractors about doing personal work while they are working. If you wish to have personal work done, call Tracey and she will give you the phone number for our landscaper and others if you wish. Carl Rifino is still working with Davey Tree and you may have seen their trucks in the neighborhood. The fertilization of the front lawn trees that were planted on Morning Glory, Dawn Court, Daylilly, Somerset and Poets Way was done.
Remember trees in the beds should not be higher than gutter level. Trees in the landscape beds are the homeowners’ responsibility. Also, take a look at your lawn, and if you are interested in having any additional work to revitalize it, call Tracey and she will give you information on contacting landscapers. If you have grass growing around the perimeter of your river rock (not beds) you can contact Tracey and she will provide you with information on who you can call to have grass/weed killer put down. Although our houses sell quickly it is still important to have all of our landscaping kept up to the standards of how it looked when we moved in many years ago. If changing your bed landscaping, remember to fill out a landscaping request form, available outside Tracey's office. For your convenience, you can also print a copy of the form from the website.
Dead trees in the common area have been taken down by Davey Tree. The stumps will be removed soon after. This also includes any tree stumps that have been missed in the past. Replacement of trees will be discussed in the coming months for fall planting. Some street trees on Daylilly Way and Morning Glory Lane have been lightly trimmed. Some branches are too low and the trash trucks, among others, are hitting them. Also, on the sidewalk side, we trimmed to prevent anyone from walking into the branches. We will be looking at the other streets to assess which need to be done. It looks like we are finally going to get nice weather and this is the time to look at your landscape around your house. We suggest that you look around your yard and if you have any dead or dying plants or shrubs, they should be removed.
Several residents are removing the old overgrown shrubs for small and easy to care for plants. Take a ride around the community and see some of the newer landscapes and perhaps it will help you decide if you want to make any changes. During the next couple of months we will be discussing how we can improve the easement lawns. We will be looking into a plan and will need the homeowners’ help if it will require watering. This, of course, will be done in the fall. One last bit of information is that it costs each home in the community approximately $11.50 a week to have the lawn mowed and edged. This also includes all the common areas. Again, if you are not registered on the website we encourage you to do so since a lot of information is provided and you will also get the emails that are sent from the various committees, BOD and Tracey. Our next meeting is Monday, May 13 at 6:30 in the Craft Room. Julia Hambrecht, Property Committee
MRC The MRC Committee’s first meeting of the new year was in March. At that meeting we began our planning for the annual community walk to identify replacement or maintenance work that may be necessary for sidewalks, driveway aprons and the areas surrounding the clubhouse. At the March meeting we scheduled the community walk for the month of May. We have volunteers who need to walk 6 ½ miles of our community. Once the walk has been completed and the necessary work identified we would then obtain the necessary quotes from contractors. We are proposing this work be done prior to October 2019. Projects Proposed for 2019: • Clubhouse parking lot lighting / exploring options for improving lighting with LEDs and finding other alternatives to reduce maintenance cost. • Community Walking Paths: Evaluating the condition of all the walking paths to develop a course of action for the replacement, if necessary of all or some of the walking paths. The committee would like to remind everyone that this is a restricted community. Before certain exterior work can be done to your homes an Architectural Repair Change Request (ARC) is needed prior to the work starting. Our ARC Guidelines / Specifications and the ARC Change Request form are available on the Springmill website. A copy of the ARC Guidelines/ Specifications booklet or the ARC Change Request forms are also located in the clubhouse outside of Tracey’s office. Georgieanna Anderson MRC Chair
Springmill Social Singles The Springmill Social Singles will be going to Hibachi on Route 40 (across from the Kmart Shopping Center) on Wednesday June 26 at 5:30 p.m. Please call Bridget McGrath if you are interested in joining us.
11
12
Eric Kearns At Springmill
Touch of Italy A new Italian restaurant, Touch of Italy, located at 2530 Concord Pike, Wilmington (next to the Charcoal Pit) opened this past September. The extensive menu features daily and weekly specials and the food is truly specialty Italian. The sauces, salad dressings, and desserts are handmade at the Lewes, Delaware location and shipped fresh to the Wilmington restaurant. There is a small Italian bakery case as well as a case with cheeses and sauces for sale on site.
Eric Kearns Voices of Legend Show Frank Sinatra visited Springmill last month. So did Elvis Presley. They were wonderful. Through the talents of vocal impressionist Eric Kearns, Springmill residents were able to enjoy the voices of some of the greatest singers in recent history. Eric’s vocal impressions allowed us to close our eyes and hear Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong’s rendition of “What a Wonderful World.” As Jimmy Durante, he sang “As Time Goes By.” If I closed my eyes, I could imagine Durante standing there. I expected Eric to sign off with “Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are.” Space does not allow me to list all the artists and songs on the program.
The interior of the restaurant is spacious with a friendly staff and very good service. I have eaten there five times and have never been disappointed. The last time I visited, we had a group of 18 and the service and food were both outstanding. The cheese garlic bread ($7.00 for a loaf for the table) is worth the trip all by itself, but the specialties of the house (Mista Salad, Penne Vodka, Ravioli and more) are excellent. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone who would like an authentic Italian experience in the middle of Wilmington.
Eric segued between artists smoothly. He only sang a few lines of each song, although I wanted him to continue performing the songs through. In the extensive program, Eric sang from Kermit the Frog (“It’s Not Easy Being Green”) to Tom Jones (“Delilah” and “She’s a Lady”) . He presented members of The Rat Pack, as well as the songs of The Beatles. Eric even sang a duet with himself as Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson in “To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before.” We all clapped to Sam Cooke’s “Twistin’ the Night Away” and joined in singing
Mangia!
Luna’s Pizzeria & Italian Grill Today I am reviewing one of Middletown's newest openings, Luna's Pizzeria & Italian Grill (830 Kohl Ave). I stopped by on a Friday evening and my wait time was about 10 minutes to be seated. I should mention that I was also dining alone so I probably waited longer for a single table. This eatery is not what I would call a "classic restaurant setting" but more of an eatery that has many tables for casual dining. They do offer wine and some specialty drinks with your meals along with your standard non-alcoholic offerings.
As he performed, Eric wandered through the audience to give hugs to female members. He even knelt on bended knee to present Joan Quigley with a rose. How warm and friendly! Eric is the consummate entertainer. He is congenial, with a stage presence that is intimate, yet confident.
To start my meal, I ordered a cup of their Italian Wedding Soup. Being a true Italian myself, I am always looking for authentic tasting dishes made with fresh ingredients. Most people can tell if food has been in a freezer too long or sat in a fridge for too many days. I am delighted to say I was very pleasantly surprised at how good and fresh the food tasted. The soup was served hot and it tasted yummy. My main course was cheese ravioli. It tasted like it was just made and the sauce it came with complemented it nicely. The crusty Italian bread that came with my meal was just what I needed to scoop up all the delicious sauce that was left on my dish. I was surprised that my entree also came with a side dish of spaghetti. Needless to say, I had enough leftovers to eat the next day.
And let’s not forget the female voices, such as Cher (“If I Could Turn Back Time”) and Etta James (“My Love Has Come Along”). What talent! We could have sat there far into the night, enthralled by the smooth jazz or rock music. The show concluded with country music legend Lee Greenwood’s “I’m Proud to Be an American” that had the entire audience on its feet, clapping and singing along. When will Eric return to entertain again? Soon, I hope, because it was such a wonderful trip through musical history that left everyone smiling. Our clubhouse has become such a wonderful venue for happy Saturday nights. Springmill is a happenin’ place to be! Helen Weinheimer
Kathy Cioffi
I do need to offer them one suggestion, though. They need to serve good grated Italian cheese with their meals. I found their grated cheese to be very dry and flat-tasting. I was so full I passed on dessert but I noticed several tables around me ordered cheesecake and cannolis and their plates were wiped clean. I take that as a good sign to order dessert the next time. And yes, I will be back again and again to enjoy this delightful eatery's offerings.
(See photos on page 17)
13
I have to also mention here that I found this pizzeria to be very family friendly, very clean (I checked out the restrooms) and the service to be very attentive. The prices are also very reasonable. So do stop by and try a meal at this new eatery and tell them you read about them in our Sentinel. (Maybe we can get them to advertise in our newspaper. That would be a win/win for all of us.) Good eating and Buon Appetite!! Sharonlynn Tassone
14
Fathers Day (cont’d from page 1)
Springmill Recipe
the good ministers of Spokane asked that the day be changed to give them extra time to prepare sermons on the then-unexplored subject of fathers.
SPANISH RICE 3 cups cooked brown rice (one cup uncooked) 1 lb. ground beef or lamb 2 medium onions, diced 1 clove garlic, diced 2 celery stalks, diced 1 green pepper, diced 1 14 ½ oz. can tomatoes, diced 1 6-oz. can tomato paste ½ pound (2 cups) grated sharp cheddar salt and pepper, and any other spices you want
The first Father’s Day in Spokane, Washington, was observed on June 19, 1910 (the third Sunday in June), and became an annual event there. Soon, other towns had their own celebrations. In spite of widespread support, Father’s Day did not become a permanent national holiday for many years. The first bill to make Father’s Day a national holiday was introduced in Congress in 1913, but even with the encouragement of President Woodrow Wilson, it did not pass at that time. It took another 50 years for President Lyndon Johnson to issue a proclamation, in 1966, designating the third Sunday in June to honor fathers.
Preheat oven to 375*F. Prepare rice. Crumble ground beef or lamb into skillet. Start to brown meat and then add onion, garlic, celery and green pepper until softened. Add tomatoes, paste, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. If the mixture is too thick, add ¼ cup red wine, beef bouillon or water to loosen consistency.
Finally, in 1972, President Richard Nixon signed a bill declaring that Father’s Day be celebrated annually on the third Sunday in June. It has been an official, permanent national holiday ever since. One of America’s most prolific poets wrote this about his father almost 100 years ago.
In sprayed casserole dish (I use a glass dish so I can see the layers.), layer ½ rice, sauce and cheese. Then repeat layers. Bake 35-40 minutes. I sometimes bake it half way covered and then uncover for the remaining 15-20 minutes so the top browns.
Only a Dad By Edgar Albert Guest Only a dad, with a tired face, Coming home from the daily race, Bringing little of gold or fame, To show how well he has played the game, But glad in his heart that his own rejoice To see him come, and to hear his voice.
If you assemble this casserole in advance and refrigerate it until later, add a few minutes to baking time. Serve with salad and garlic bread. Submitted by Helen Weinheimer
Only a dad, with a brood of four, One of ten million men or more. Plodding along in the daily strife, Bearing the whips and the scorns of life, With never a whimper of pain or hate, For the sake of those who at home await.
Editor’s Note to Residents Please feel free to submit a favorite recipe or ask your neighbors for a recipe you might be looking for. Tom Rigg
Flag,
Cont’d from page 1
First, fold the flag lengthwise, over the stars. Then fold the flag lengthwise again, so the stars appear on the outside of the folded flag. Next take the striped end of the flag, and fold it into a triangle. Take the now-triangular end, and fold it inward, toward the stripes. (This process reminded me of folding to make a fan, except it is triangles.) Continue the triangular folding until the entire flag forms a large triangle with stars on top. If you need a picture instead of these “thousand words,” you can go to the website of the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs and search “flag folding directions.” I did try the flag folding using just the directions, and have to admit it was nice to confirm the success of the process using the pictures. I’ll look forward to seeing all your flags flying and to hearing how you did with the folding.
Only a dad, neither rich nor proud, Merely one of the surging crowd Toiling, striving from day to day, Facing whatever may come his way, Silent, whenever the harsh condemn, And bearing it all for the love of them. Only a dad, but he gives his all To smooth the way for his children small, Doing, with courage stern and grim, The deeds that his father did for him. This is the line that for him I pen, Only a dad, but the best of men. Edgar Guest, an English-born American poet, was born in 1881. In 1895, he was hired as a copy boy for the Detroit Free Press, where he would work for almost sixty-five years. In his lifetime, he published more than twenty volumes of poetry and was thought to have written over 11,000 poems. Guest died on August 5, 1959. Dick Rausch
June Stemmle 15
And they are off!! The winner is declared - Oops not so fast!! A good time was had by all as the betting, the racing and eating went on. Many thanks to the CEC for sponsoring this event
Ilene Lipstein, Marie, Keith and Tom Rigg
Barbara Blackney, Helen Jackson, Carolyn Bodden, Carole Wagner, Lois Baker, Kathy Cioffi, Ann Raymond , Nancy Shannon, Helene Silverman, Noel Carey
Helen Jackson chatting with Shawn Lynch and Ann Lynch at their first Derby Party
Jennie Schreckengost, Ruth Cohen, Art and Roe Lamb, Bob Schreckengost
Helen Jackson, Noel Carey, Lois Baker, Ann Lynch, Joann Campbell, Nancy Shannon, Sallie Midash
Right - Springmill Ponies at the gate Above - Lois Baker crosses the finish line
Springmill Singles On Thursday, April 25, the Springmill Singles went to Touch of Italy on Concord Pike and had a wonderful Italian meal. Eighteen members of the singles enjoyed wonderful food, service, and friendship at this delightful restaurant which is perfect for a meal for two or a large group. Kathy Cioffi
16
Mel and Carol Geiger, Carolyn and Carl Rifino
Ruth Rudloff announcing the winners
See article on page 23
405 Morning Glory
See article on page 13
otos: Lee Rosenson & Nancy Shannon About seventy residents attended the event sponsored by the CEC Committee.. The weather cooperated for a great opening day at the pool. Memorabilia was provided by veteran and resident Brian Blackney, pictured below. A traditional meal of fried chicken with all the fixings satisfied all. The highlight of this event was provided by Walt Angney as he played a moving version of Taps and a demonstration of how to properly fold an American flag.
17
18
We lived in New Jersey for 40 years, and although we were aware the Red Bank Battlefield Park in National Park existed, we never really explored. We did know that The Whitall House, a Revolutionary Era house, gave Christmas Tours, but we never attended. Boy did we miss out!! Our Grandaughter, Victoria, (15 YOA) has just started as an intern at Red Bank. She will, after training, be giving tours of the Whitall House as well as the Battlefield. So naturally, as good grandparents we decided to see what it was all about. Red Bank is one-hour drive from Springmill. There is no charge for the tours. There are restrooms in the park. There – that is all you needed to know to go. In 1748, Quakers Ann and James Whitall established a 400-acre plantation at Red Bank along the Delaware River. This bustling plantation included fruit orchards, a lumberyard, a shad fishery, livestock, and a ferry. Together, Ann and James raised nine children who worked the plantation alongside dozens of indentured servants hailing from Ireland, the Netherlands, and Germany. In 1777, the American Revolution interrupted life at Red Bank when American forces constructed Fort Mercer immediately north of the house. On October 22, 1777, Colonel Christopher Green's Rhode Island Regiment inflicted heavy losses on Hessian soldiers and the Whitalls’ home served as a field hospital. Hundreds of Hessian soldiers lost their lives in the battle and were buried just north of the house. One Sunday a month, the house and fort offer special programs focusing on an aspect of the park's history. Ever wonder how people made clothes in the 1700's? What was it like to be a Revolutionary soldier? How did women prepare meals? Why is Fort Mercer so important to Revolutionary history? Heritage Days are always family friendly and filled with great activities for everyone to enjoy. The Gloucester County Certified Gardeners maintain the historic gardens. The gardeners are volunteers who actively work to cultivate vegetables, culinary and medicinal herbs, dyeing flowers, and cutting flowers that are historically representative of the eighteenth century. Learn what herbs Ann Whitall would have used to treat a cough or heal a wound. Observe how flower pigments added color to clothing. Hear about true farm-to-table families.
Special Events Annual Flower Show and Garden Festival June 23, 2019 12-4 p.m. Join us for our annual flower show! Enjoy vendors, gardening activities, kid's fun and beautiful plants on display. Learn about how to keep that garden growing throughout the summer, tour the beautiful Whitall gardens and enjoy family-friendly activities. Butterfly Festival at Red Bank Battlefield July 13, 2019 12-4 p.m. Join us for a day all about bees and pollinators. Come learn the importance of both and how you can attract them to your yard. Enjoy tours of the butterfly house, free classes, a bug parade and other fun family activities. For more information please call (856) 853-5120.
Red Bank Battlefield Park is located at 100 Hessian Avenue National Park, NJ 08063
Fall Fest Saturday, October 26, 2019 - 12 p.m.- 4 p.m. Join us for a day full of fall family fun including a straw bale maze, games, crafts and more. Then stop in for a tour of the "spooky" Whitall House. 18th Century Field Day Sunday, October 27, 2019 - 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Free admission Enjoy battle reenactments, colonial demonstrators, vendors, food, and fun! Learn about the Battle of Red Bank and why New Jersey is called “The Crossroads of the American Revolution.” Tour the Whitall House and visit with our hearth cookers preparing delicious fallinspired food. Take in a spectacular sword fight and enjoy a colonial magic show. Cheer on the Jonas Cattell Run participants at the finish line. Fun, food, and activities for everyone!
(856) 853-5120
Red Bank Battlefield Park is open year round sunrise to sunset, except Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The James and Ann Whitall House is open seasonally, from April through mid-October, most Thursdays through Sundays, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.. Information taken from Gloucester County Website. Photos by Keith Rigg 19
7
222 Carter Dr., Suite 104
20
The complete list of books in the library can be seen on the library section of the website. Also any new books listed on the website has a small paragraph describing the book. You can find it on the library page. We encourage everyone who uses the library to use the website. A new feature that is being implemented is when you go on the website, click on library on the left, go to library news where you will see a list of all new books. Go to the bottom of the list where you will see “browse all hardcopy/paperback books�. Click on one of them, go to a title of a book that is highlighted in blue. Wait a few seconds and a short synopsis of the book will come up from goodreads. We are starting with the most recent books. The back shelves between the windows and also the the book rack on the table have the newest books. We also have quite a selection of jigsaw puzzles that residents enjoy and we will gladly take contributions. Audio book have also been requested. Magazines can be found on the table outside the library. The Committee and BOD books with the minutes are located on the top shelf over the paperbacks. Happy Reading! Julie and Nancy HARDCOPY
PAPERBACK Baldacci, David Bell, Ted Clipston, Amy Flynn, Gillian Follett, Ken Grafton, Sue Graham, Heather King, Stephen Picoult, Jodi Winspear, Jacqueline
Auel, Jean M Burke, James Lee Clancy, Tom Clark, Mary H Follett, Ken
The Christmas Train Overkill Room of the Porch Swing Sharp Objects Fall of Giants U is for Undertow Fade to Black On Writing The Tenth Circle Journey to Munich
Gazan, S. J. Harris, Thomas Hillenbrand, Laura Mantle, Mickey Michner, James Rice, Anne Rizzuto, Phil Ryan, Hank P Sebold, Alice
21
The Land of Painted Ca The New Iberia Blues The Cardinal of the Kremlin I Heard That Song Before Winter of the World World With End The Dinosaur Feather Hannibal Hanibal Rising Unbroken My Favorite Summer 1956 Alaska Angel Time The October Twelve Trust Me The Lovely Bones
22
Middletown News Town Meeting The meeting opened with the appointment of Laura Johnson to the Board of Adjustment and Craig Sherman to the Planning Board. The motion was approved by the town council. Daneya Jacobs, Middletown Main Street Director, announced that fifteen merchants will participate in a special sale day on Saturday, May 11. She added that she would like to add murals to the town center to be done by a professional artist as well as a destination sign indicating merchants and their location.
in Chestertown, MD The National Music Festival is celebrating its 8th season in Chestertown, MD from June 2nd to the 15th. This festival brings together inspiring mentors and the next generation of gifted musicians on the cusp of their professional careers. The festival provides scholarships and affordable public performances. The two groups of mentors and musicians rehearse and perform side by side in orchestral, chamber, solo recital, choral and chamber opera repertoires. There will be over 30 concerts and over 200 FREE open rehearsals for music lovers.
Approval was given for a conditional use permit request for a sit down and carry out sushi and other Asian cuisine restaurant in a M-1 zone area. The address: 106 Sandhill Drive, Suite A (formerly Casapulla's Middletown Subs) Approval was given for a conditional use permit request for a 20-room boutique hotel at 60 W. Main St. Parking of cars would be at 218 W. Main St. and N. Scott St.
Concerts and rehearsals take place in a variety of venues and it is important that you check the website carefully because the venues sometimes change at the last minute. Check out the rehearsal and concert schedule at www.nationalmusic.us. It is a comprehensive website that will provide detailed information.
Approval was given for a major land development and subdivision plan for Silver Lake School. The school site is to be subdivided into two parcels. One parcel will be the site of the school, while the second parcel will be 28.19 acres and will be conveyed to the town.
This will be my fourth year of attending the event, and as with most performances, it is difficult to describe how good these young musicians are. Check it out for yourself.
K. Krenzer, PR for the Town, spoke about adopting incentives to developers to draw merchants into the center of the town. By doing this, it might be possible to acquire grants from the state. Eight other towns are offering incentives, so Middletown would like to compete with them for grants. Approval was given for this Ordinance.
Joan Gross
It was announced that the Board sponsoring the new library would be holding a meeting on Thursday, May 9, from 7-9 p.m. at the current Middletown Library on N. Broad St. Discussion would be on what residents want to see at the new library. Residents are invited to attend.
Even a brisk windy day did not deter dedicated yard sale shoppers from shopping at the annual yard sale. Customers put on windbreakers to walk around our community to see what they might need for their own home.
Sonya Comstock
Residents seem to have a variety of items that might prove useful to another household and be able to empty their garages and attics in order to begin storing more stuff.
New Business Luna’s Pizzeria & Italian Grill 830 Kohl Ave., (near Dairy Queen) Hours of Operation: Mon-Thurs. 10-9:30 p.m., Fri & Sat – 10-10 p.m., Sun 11-9 p.m. 302-601-6161 See review on page 13 Sonya Comstock
Those folks with long-forgotten hobbies and crafts were able to pass them on to others to start their own collection. By mid-day most items were moved into the garage so buyers could shop in comfort. For those who had items to sell, it proved to be profitable and enjoyable and the opportunity to meet neighbors who enjoyed visiting their neighbors just to see what was offered. The sale lasted a few hours, and buyers seemed to be content with their purchases, while residents were pleased to have lightened their storage items. Items not sold were donated to a charitable organization.
Coming Soon The construction you see by Burger King is going to be a Popeye’s Chicken
Sonya Comstock
23
24
Warriors Helping Warriors In 2010, Major Brian Conley returned from Afghanistan with multiple injuries, physical, mental and emotional. They required 9 surgeries and 2 years of physical recovery. It was an arduous journey through the system to obtain all the care and assistance he needed to reintegrate back into society. His difficult experiences inspired him to find a way to ease the path for other veterans and their families. As a result, Warriors Helping Warriors was founded as a non-profit organization by Brian and his family. Opening a residential center for veterans that would provide counseling, education and family support while the vets integrate back into society was their mission. A great Victorian home at 104 S. Broad St in the middle of Middletown proved to be appropriate. The organization developed a fantastic, dedicated, volunteer workforce and with generous donations was able to totally renovate the building. The Brian Conley Veterans Resiliency Center opened on April 27, 2019. The Center has been wonderfully renovated. The public space in the Center includes a multipurpose room, a study/conference room, lounge and kitchenette. The residential area will house 12-15 vets and includes bedrooms, laundry, a fully accessible, equipped kitchen, and full, accessible bathrooms. Programs for vets, their families and caregivers will encompass health and wellness support, housing, resource and benefits education, financial planning, recreation, peer support and mental health. The Center will be operated by volunteer veterans and a full time licensed counselor/social worker. The Center is now seeking donations for furnishings in order to be fully operational. As Maria Corvino and I toured the facility on its opening, we could not help but be proud of the assistance Springmill has given to Warriors Helping Warriors. It is a great resource for our deserving veterans to “Win the Battle at Home�. Our whole Middletown community will benefit from it. Pat Kolbay
There Are Newcomers in Springmill!! Say hello, invite them to go to an event or committee meeting with you.
We Welcome Roger and Mary Thompson Springmill Drive
Gary Merrick and Darien Welch move Old Man Time down Whispering Trail
25
26
Silent Honor Danielle Steel
Book Club 1 (Deb Kupper/1st Wed.) We will be reading Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell,” by Robert Dugoni.
“The
A Japanese college professor, Masao Takashimaya of Kyoto, has a strong passion for modern ideas while his wife clings to ancient traditions. Their 18year-old daughter, Hiroko, is sent to California for an American education which upsets her traditional mother but is seen as necessary by her father. The date - August, 1941.
Book Club 2 (Mary-Elizabeth Rhoads/4th Tues.) In June our group will be having lunch or dinner together and sharing book of our choice…decision yet to be made.
Her uncle, Takeo, and his family welcome her to California and a lifestyle that is unlike the home she left behind. They are more American than Japanese speaking only English and wearing Western clothing. Her uncle introduces her to his assistant at Stanford, Peter Jenkins, an American. Registering Hiroko at a prestigious women’s college is the next step which proves to be disastrous. Her roommates treat her shamefully because of her race, but she stays and ignores them.
Book Club 5 (Joan Gross/3rd Tues.) Our group will read and discuss the very popular “Where the Crawdads Sing,” by Delia Owens.
December 7, 1941 – Pearl Harbor is bombed, war is declared and all people of Japanese ancestry have now become the enemy. Many Japanese families were established in this country. An executive order signed by FDR gives the military the power to remove all Japanese from their communities. Takeo and his family are given ten days to sell their home, give up their jobs and report to a relocation center along with thousands of other Japanese and Japanese Americans. At this point, families are divided, people are forced to abandon their homes, businesses, freedom and their lives. What follows is the internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII. Peter and Hiroko would like to marry, but it is forbidden in California. Not realizing this internment would stretch throughout the war, Hiroko and her American family are shifted from one camp to another. She sheds her Japanese traditions and makes the best of her situation by helping her aunt in the infirmary. No longer a young girl, she grows into a strong independent woman and a few months later, gives birth to Peter’s baby. With all the imprisoned people who suffer severe illnesses followed by many deaths, Hiroko learns how to survive and must because of her baby. The war ends, and all the Japanese in camps are free to go, but where. A normal life again – is it possible?
Book Club 3 (Ginny Grippo/3rd Mon.) This month we will enjoying “Born a Crime,” by Trevor Noah. Book Club 4 (Mary Jo Starrett/1st Wed.) The First Wednesday Book Club is on hiatus now. We won’t convene again until September to choose our books for the 2019-20 year.
June Stemmle
A BIG Thank You Owning a home means tending to constant repairs and replacement. When small tasks are beyond the owner’s ability, how nice is it to call someone who will send someone to take care of that task. Many thanks to Carol Geiger for starting the ‘Neighbors Helping Neighbors’ group who help residents with household tasks so that life can get back to normal without delay. This special group just made living in Springmill ever so much easier by giving of their time and ability to those residents needing help. Thank you for helping me with my tasks. Sonya Comstock
Sonya Comstock Many thanks to all my friends and neighbors for all of the Mass cards, sympathy cards and beautiful flowers given to me on the passing of my mother. I was Mom’s caregiver for several years and your concern and support helped me through difficult times, for which I am extremely grateful. Thank you,
27
Elana's Broad St. Florist & Gifts has been offering the Middletown, DE area superior floral arrangements and assortments for more than 10 years. Come in and browse Elana’s unique collection of gifts items.
500 N. Broad St. Middletown, DE 19709 elanasbroadstflorist.com elanasflorist@gmail.com Mention this ad for a 10% discount on all purchases
28
Springmill Author - Ann Jewett Ann Jewett, of 98 Springmill Drive, has joined the panoply of authors living in Springmill. For those of you who are newer to our community, the first was Faye Green of Poets Way, the second was a recent MYN interviewee in the February Sentinel, Dennis Krause of 413 Morning Glory Lane, and now, the third is Ann. We are proud of all our residents’ accomplishments and like to provide public kudos for their efforts. It’s a good reminder that we keep on growing and doing as we mature. Ann’s husband, Dick, contacted me about her first novel and was so enthused and delighted for her, I was looking forward to our interview to learn more about her inspiration for writing. The title of the work, “Somewhere Else, Something Different.” is biographical fiction. The main character, Francis Brayton, an early American, also happens to be a member of Ann’s family. The seed of a book has been in Ann’s mind since 1994, when she and Dick were living in Ohio, and family letters were exchanged. Some of these letters, along with her journals were kept, and as she started looking back at both, she got to thinking about her family history. Initially, Ann thought she might write her memoirs, but found it difficult to write about herself. She realized, however, she did want to “write about ordinary people who did extraordinary things that contributed to their community and our democracy.” As Ann researched her family’s genealogy, among the list of surnames one stood out…Brayton. Francis Brayton came from humble beginnings, but eventually gained notable achievements. One of her favorite parts of the book is where Francis, whose family members are basically serfs, figures out a way to pay off the family debt. By doing so, he can leave the owner’s estate after his parents die and won’t be tied to the land. He was a resourceful lad.
Portsmouth located in the northern part of Rhode Island (He also wrote the Portsmouth Compact that based the town on democratic principles which included separation of church and state.), and Roger Williams, who brought a group of Puritans to Rhode Island for reasons of religious freedom from the theocratic Puritan principles. (For those of you who read “Flight of the Sparrow” you can understand his feelings…the Puritans could be quite hypocritical.) The public records Ann found, with the assistance of a librarian in Rhode Island, were very helpful. She told me he even went the extra mile and made copies of maps and important information for her. Now, because information about Francis was lacking prior to 1643, it necessitated researching the politics in the period from his birth years until age 31, when he arrived in America, as well as learning about agricultural practices at the time. So,chapters 1 thru 9 contain the fictional life she created for him. The chapters from 10 on are based on the family research she did. Ann expressed the actual writing took place between 2017 and 2019 with lots of challenges and detours along the way. She wanted women to be a big part of the story. Since women had no “real rights” in the 1600’s, she had to work very hard to keep it authentic for the era. Mary, one of her favorite characters, got things done within the realm of what was possible then. I always wonder about a book’s title. This novel actually had a different title at first, but Ann decided to use a comment in Chapter 3, on pages 55-56 for the “Somewhere Else” part of the title. Later in the book came the idea for the “Something Different” part. When asked what next? Ann said that she had already started a second novel which will be titled “Lust for Land.” It will follow Elijah Brayton, five generations from Francis, during the Westward expansion. Ann hopes that in writing books she can share her philosophy that “good citizenship and a happy life come from working at it, not having it given to you.”
I should note here that Ann was an English literature major at Bowling Green State College, did graduate studies at George Washington University and has continued to be a “constant student” during her life. Her academic studies, travels, and various jobs all provided skills needed to complete her research and book.
If you would like to read Ann’s book, it is available in eBook @ Amazon books, www.amazon.com/dp/B07N5LLIY .
Ann shared that she “hand writes” on large, firm white lined pads and just LOVES putting ink to that clean page. She makes storyboards on the backs of the pads; maps, town streets, lists of family names and dates, etc. A lot of her information on the Brayton family was gleaned from a website called www.myheritage.com. Unfortunately, there were no records on Francis before 1643, when he arrived in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. John Anthony, a friend, encouraged Francis to move to America and was also his mentor in his new country.
June Stemmle
Some other names of importance in Ann’s book are William Brenton, the founder of Newport, RI, John Clark, a Baptist minister, who along with 38 others, was the founder of 29
I know after chatting with Ann, I’m looking forward to reading this story of Francis Brayton, who emigrated from Europe in the 17th century, settled and lived in Portsmouth, RI, and left an admirable record of public service for 49 years. ** If your book club is interested in choosing it as a future selection, Ann would be willing to join you for your discussion.
30
We are finally enjoying some seasonal weather and look forward to the next few months. The pool is open and the world is good.
since you last played. All are welcome to participate in this very enjoyable Court Sport. See you on the tennis courts.
Horseshoes: Rob Bishop reports: Horseshoes is off to a roaring start. We had 2 teams of horseshoes (Rob Bishop, Gary Merrick, Wayne King and Bill Bogel) the first week we played in May. We switched people several times to vary the play, and played each game to 11points, which worked out great. Ring in your Wednesday night with horseshoes. Come out and enjoy the challenge, competition and conversation. Just show up at 6:00 PM on Wednesday night. If you don’t think you can reach the pits, feel free to shoot from 30 feet. It’s all about having fun! Bocce: Anne Lucas reports: The Bocce season got off to a rousing start on May 7th. Thanks to Jerry Burney the courts were cleaned, sanded and ready to go. There are 5 teams on both play days so one team has a bye in each league each week. After 2 weeks of play league scores are: TUESDAY LEAGUE TEAM EASY ROLLERS (23) BOCCE BALLERS EVERGREENS HAPPY ROLLERS BOCCE PALS
W 2 2 1 2 1
L 0 0 3 2 3
WEDNESDAY LEAGUE TEAM W HOLY ROLLERS 0 ROLLING THUNDER 2 THE BRU’S 4 PARSEEKERS 1 FORZA 1
L 2 0 0 3 3
After 5 weeks (a bye for each team) the number of games will even out and the standings will be shown. A weekly score sheet will be posted on the Clubhouse Bulletin Board as well. Contact Anne Lucas to be added to the sub list. Come out and cheer on the teams. Pickleball: Jane Kimmins reports: The Spring, Summer, Fall Pickleball season began on April 22nd at 8:30 AM for experienced players. Pickleball will continue to be played through the season every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 to 10 AM. Since we did not have any new players at 10:30 AM all month, we have changed the hours for all players - new and experienced - to play from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. If you are unfamiliar with what is involved in Pickleball, you can see a video of Springmill players on the Springmill website. Just sign in to the website, go to Resident Videos and scroll down. You will see that Trevor and I spend a lot of time picking up balls served by Anne and Brian. Don’t be afraid. Just come to the courts and give Pickleball a try. Tennis: Jerry Ryan reports: With this warmer weather we now start play at 8:30 AM. Play continues on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Grab your racquet and come on down to join in the Sun and Fun with your neighbors. We also have people available to just practice hitting the ball if you feel you are "rusty" because of a long time
The Bocce and Tennis/Pickleball courts and Horseshoe Pits are always open, weather permitting. Whenever the mood hits you get some people together and start playing. Bocce equipment and horseshoes are in the closet in the Craft Room. Middletown Ladies Golf League: Eileen Bogel reports: The Middletown Ladies Golf League continues after a great start! We meet each Thursday morning at Back Creek. Groups of 9-holers and groups of 18-holers (who stay for lunch) all tee off together. We begin at 8:00 AM in June. Weekly events are scheduled to make play more fun for everyone. The league is open to all ladies in the area. Call Eileen Bogel for more information. Sheila Rausch at Back Creek Hole # 6 Springmill/Spring Arbor Men's Golf League (SMGL): Joe Tomassetti reports: As of the end of May we have played 9 rounds of golf, playing at each of our 4 golf courses at least once. Our Odessa round was cut short by rain, but otherwise we enjoyed fairly pleasant weather. We are averaging 29 golfers each week which is ahead of last year. There was a “Yellow Ball” competition at Frog Hollow on May 23rd. We are a fun league which means with the exceptional money format, we play for the fun and social interaction. Our yearly dues are $10.00. Anyone interested in joining this residence-based league, contact me at j.tomassetti@verizon.net. Water Aerobics: Ann Raymond reports: Water Aerobics will begin June 10 weather permitting. We will meet on Monday, Wednesday, Friday 4:00 - 5:00 PM and Tuesday, Thursday 10:30 - 11:30 AM. Yoga: June Stemmle reminds everyone that a Yoga session is held in the Clubhouse Great Room every Monday morning at 9:00 AM. Meditation follows Yoga from 10:00 – 10:30 AM. Cynthia Frank will help you to learn to de-stress, relax, and find peace and serenity. All are welcome. Fitness: Cynthia Frank comments: The pool is open which means bathing suit time. Has the winter hibernation added a few pounds? Join our happy exercise group in the great room, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8 AM to 9 AM. We work out to several DVDs which includes Walk Away the Pounds, senior cardio, Zumba, Tai chi, and Richard Simmons, Sweating to the oldies and others. You can go at you own pace, no pressure, just show up. With Senior Exercise, Yoga, Meditation, the Gym, Water Aerobics, and miles of scenic paths and streets for safe walking, jogging and bicycling, it is easy to get out and help stay fit at your own pace and ability. Compiled by Dick Rausch
31
32